CNG introduced in a bigger way in Tripura

Agartala, Jun 21: Agartala has finally introduced eco-friendly Compressed Natural Gas(CNG) as an alternative fuel for running vehicles in a bigger way.

Tripura Natural Gas Company Ltd(TNGCL), a subsidiary of the Gas Authority of India Ltd(GAIL), has commissioned the mega project to supply CNG to an estimated 20,000 vehicles in the first phase.

Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has inaugurated the first CNG station in eastern India at Badharghat, southwestern outskirt of Agartala last evening to implement the project.

He stated that the state transport department has taken initiative to covert its vehicles into CNG and other vehicles of the state government would soon be converted as well. The state government has issued notification to people in the state to purchase only CNG-run vehicles from now on.

''About 200 light vehicles, including auto-rickshaws were converted into CNG last year on a experimental basis. All vehicles will be converted to CNG in a phase manner, ultimately no vehicle will be allowed to run on petrol or diesel,'' Mr Sarkar said.

''The introduction of CNG would prove to be cheap and environment-friendly and the cost of CNG would be almost half the price of petrol. An expert team has already been engaged in setting up workshops for suitably converting the engines,'' said state Transport Minister Manik Dey.

The government would give priority in issuing permits and bank loans to those who will ply CNG-run vehicles, Mr Dey said, adding that the cost of CNG is almost half of cost of petrol and 25 per cent less that diesel in Agartala while with one kg CNG an auto rickshaw can ply 36.75 km, a car 22.05 km and a bus 4.09 km, which are also higher that patrol and diesel run vehicles.

Asom and Tripura governments have shareholdings in the TNGCL, which has been supplying piped natural gas to more than 6,410 domestic consumers, besides 100 commercial establishments and industrial units in Agartala and surroundings.

UNI